Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Halloween activities, Reggie's Sleepout, holiday markets
From haunted scream parks and after-hours zoo adventures to world-class music and early holiday markets, Central Iowa is stacked with ways to spend the weekend.
Kick off Friday with Spirits of the Wild at Blank Park Zoo, Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park, a pup-friendly Howl-O-Ween at the Surety Hotel, Boo-tanical Halloween at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Urbandale’s free Light the Night.
Saturday brings Game Store Day at the Rook Room, the community-driven Reggie’s Sleepout at Drake Stadium, and “An Evening with Yo‑Yo Ma” at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Close out Sunday with Blue October at Hoyt Sherman Place, nightly Des Moines Ghost Tours, and a round of holiday craft fairs in West Des Moines, Ankeny, and on Des Moines’ south side.
Find our guide to trick-or-treating here.
Friday, Oct. 31
Spirits of the Wild at the Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines
6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Cost: $15 zoo member, $15 Zoo Brew member, $25 non-members
This Halloween, Blank Park Zoo becomes the hunting grounds for one of Iowa’s most chilling legends: the Van Meter Visitor. Spirits of the Wild is a thrilling new 21+ Halloween event where you’ll explore the zoo after dark on a quest to uncover the legend of a mysterious creature. Enjoy tastings from distilleries and plenty of eerie surprises along the way. Costumes are encouraged.
Sleepy Hollow's Haunted Scream Park, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines
6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
Cost: $30-48. Order tickets online.
This is the last weekend of Iowa's largest and most elaborate Halloween theme park. Visit the Castle of Blood, Nightmare Asylum and Blazing Pumpkins Oddities Museum. Be sure to catch the Freakshow and then wander through the Village of the Damned. Open to all ages.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest, Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave., Des Moines
5 to 7 p.m. Friday
Cost: Free
Treat your pup to a night of tricks, treats, and tail wags. Dogs dine for free with featured bites from the Mulberry Street Tavern puppy menu, while “humans” can enjoy happy-hour favorites. Prizes awarded for best costume.
Boo-tanical Halloween at Great Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
6 to 9 p.m. Friday
Cost: $12 adults, $11 senior and active/retired military, $9 children under 12.
New this year from the Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden is Eerie Evenings, a night filled with lights, vibes, and spectral plants to add to your spooky season. Come roam the dome after hours! Flora will be on-site providing cash bar and concession services.
Light the Night at New Hope Church, 4425 70th St, Urbandale
6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Cost: Free
Free indoor family-friendly event with candy, glow games, crafts and more. Wear a costume or come as you are.
WATCH: Central Iowa trick-or-treaters tell their favorite Halloween jokes
Saturday, Nov. 1
Game Store Day at Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe, 300 SW 5th St., Des Moines
All day Saturday
Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe will participate in the first-ever Game Store Day on Saturday, joining a new national movement that celebrates local game stores and the communities that support them. As the only participating location in Des Moines and one of just a handful of stores in Iowa, the Rook Room is bringing the celebration to downtown Des Moines with a full day of games, events and community-focused fun.
Reggie's Sleepout, Drake Stadium, 2719 Forest Ave., Des Moines
Gates open at noon on Saturday.
For nearly two decades, Reggie’s Sleepout has raised awareness and funds for homeless youth services in central Iowa. The event is named in honor of Reggie Kelsey, a young man whose tragic death sparked a movement. Reggie’s Sleepout reinforces YSS's commitment to help youth like Reggie — and end homelessness for good. Click here to
An evening with Yo-Yo Ma: Reflections in Words and Music, Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $45-185.
Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma makes his Civic Music debut. This special performance from Yo-Yo Ma pairs repertoire from the center of his musical firmament with reflections on how it has shaped his thinking about art, human nature, and our search for meaning.
Sunday, Nov. 2
Blue October at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
8 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $39.50-$99.50. Purchase tickets online.
Blue October is a Texas-based alternative rock band with over a billion streams and 18 Top 40 singles, including hits like “Hate Me,” “Into the Ocean,” “Oh My My,” and “I Hope You’re Happy."
Other events
Not ready to give up Halloween? Des Moines Ghost Tours has haunted historic walking tours of Des Moines' spooky downtown every night. Hosted by U.S. Ghost Adventures, told by Des Moines storytellers.
Several organizations are hosting holiday craft and vendor fairs this weekend:
- Edgewater Holiday Mart
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
- 9225 Cascade Ave., West Des Moines
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
- Santa's North Pole Village Craft Sale
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
- 2250 SW Vintage Pkwy., Ankeny
- $7 admission
- Christ the King annual Holiday Vendor & Craft Fair
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
- 5711 SW 9th St., Des Moines
Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here.
Weekend weather
Friday: Generally sunny in the morning, increasing clouds in the afternoon. High 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Friday night: A few clouds. Low 35F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday: Mainly cloudy skies. High 46F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday night: A few clouds from time to time. Low 33F. Winds light and variable.
Sunday: Partly cloudy skies. High 54F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Low near 40F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing web@kcci.com.